The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam — Page 316
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR RELIGIOUS & OTHER LEADERS 315 that manifestly distinguishes a true person from one who is false. As things stand, no one will say that his people are in any way inferior to the people of other nations in possessing the fear of God and righteous- ness, in their attachment to Tauhid [the Oneness of God], justice, and equity, and in the doing of other good deeds. Therefore, it is impossible to arrive at any decision in this way. I assert that Islam possesses those praiseworthy features that estab- lish the distinction of the Muslim faith to an incomparably perfect degree. Take, for example, the Tauhid that Islam teaches, the righteous- ness it inculcates, and Islam's laws for the safeguarding of chastity and protection of other rights which influence the beliefs and actions of millions upon millions of people. In contrast to this, the doctrinal and practical circumstances of our opponents is not something unknown to impartial people, but when prejudice obstructs reason, who is going to vouch for the existence of these praiseworthy features of Islam, and who is going to pay attention to them? This is, therefore, merely an academic exercise. The most obvious and evident method fathomable by even a peas- ant tilling the land or a nomad of the desert, is that during a time when all religions are locked in war and disputation with one another— which at present is at its fiercest—one should beseech help from that very One for whom this war and disputation is being waged. Since God Almighty does exist, and as all these battles are all concerning Him, it would, indeed, be better if we were to seek a verdict from Him. Now, let it be known that by the grace of God Almighty, I under- stand Islam alone to be the true religion, and consider all others to be untrue and entirely the embodiments of falsehood. By following Islam, I observe springs of light flowing through me, and merely due to the love I have for the Messenger of Allah, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, I have attained that lofty station of Divine commun- ion and acceptance of prayer, which none but a follower of the true Prophetsas can attain. The Hindus, the Christians, and others can never attain that station even if, in addressing their false gods, they were to